Visegrád

The remains of peel towers witness that Visegrád was at one time on the limes of the Roman Empire. Later, King Saint Stephen settled the religious hierarchy here and remains of his church have been uncovered behind Solomon’s Tower, named after the legend which says that the Hungarian Prince Solomon was imprisoned here. The whole area is dominated by the citadel high up on the hill, and even in its ruined state it is a formidable sight. The Royal Palace was built at the foot
of the hill. It was originally Gothic in design, but was transformed into the Renaissance masterpiece contemporaries describe by King Matthias. We know, for example, from several sources that at great celebrations it wasn’t water that flowed from the exquisitely carved red marble fountains, but wine! With the help of British expertise this marvellous fountain has been reconstructed in the courtyard, and the garden replanted with flowers that are known to have been present in its heyday. Outdoor
equestrian events, contests of strength, and mediæval festivals are staged in the summer months, with Renaissance feasts held in the citadel itself.